wigs to wishes.org.uk

The “Dawn Hughes Wigs to Wishes Fund” has been set up to enable me to receive further treatment at an Oncology Clinic in Germany where they have had a high success rate in stopping the spread of Cancer in patients and giving them the best possible chance of remission. The Berkshire Cancer Centre have informed me that there is little chance of my Cancer going into remission with the treatment available in this country.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my website. I'd like to tell you a little bit about myself. I'm a wife and mother of 3 young children, Matthew 13, Ellie 10 and Freddie 6. I was first diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2001 at the age of 36. Following Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy, I was in remission until a chance MRI scan in Feb 2005 for an unrelated problem, detected that the Cancer had returned. I was then diagnosed with Secondary Breast Cancer. The likely prognosis given in February was 18 months to 5 years. I then had to undergo aggressive Chemotherapy, but following the results of a recent bone scan, it was found that the Cancer is still spreading. The treatment in Germany will cost thousands of pounds and for most people like myself, the opportunity for this is a dream. Many of my Family and Friends want to make this dream a reality and are making tremendous fund raising efforts, because without them, I would not be able to seek the treatment that I so obviously need and which is not being offered in this country.

Wednesday, June 06, 2007

UK Oncologist Appointment

Went for my normal cancer clinic appointment today at the Royal Berks and saw my Onc's Registrar. I wanted to ask about the Thalidomide drug and to update them on my last visit to Germany and the treatment that I received. To be honest they weren't really interested and appeared to be too busy to talk to me! I asked whether I would be able to get Thalidomide and the Registrar was quick to tell me that it wasn't available on the NHS and therefore I couldn't have it. When I tried to explain that I had looked it up on the internet and that I understood it was used to help with the unpleasant side effects of cancer he quickly shot me down and basically said that he didn't have enough time to speak with me about other treatments as I was attending the chemo clinic and they were really busy. Blimey! Sorry for trying to discuss my treatment options!!! I thought that my appointment with them was to be able to discuss my treatment, not just to check that my blood was okay for chemo and then send me on my way to West Ward. He back tracked a little by saying that they were happy for me to go to Germany and find out about any drugs and then come back to the UK to ask if they were available but if they are not on the NHS list then I can't have them.

I came away feeling quite upset as I'm only trying to find the best treatment options for me. This country is really failing its cancer patients and is not giving them the best options that are available because it can't afford it. Of course I only know this because I am getting advice from Germany.

It has been reported that Thalidomide may decrease the expression of various chemicals in the body that stimulate blood vessels. So it prevents the tumor from making new blood vessels. Without new blood vessels, the tumor can't sufficiently feed new cells, so the cancer can't grow.

Thalidomide may also act on many different levels in the immune system, and perhaps stimulates the body's immune system to help it fight cancer as well, thereby playing a role in its reduction of cancer cells also.

posted by Dawn  

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